State Fire Marshal awards $2.5 million in grants to Illinois First Responders

Springfield, Ill. — The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal has announced the recipients of the 2022 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $2.5 million was awarded to 104 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to purchase. The OSFM received 373 applications, requesting around $8.4 million in funding for this grant period.

“Funding provided from our Small Equipment Grant Program is a huge benefit, especially to our rural volunteer departments in the state. These funds allow departments to purchase important equipment their firefighters/EMT’s need to work more effectively and safely while protecting the lives and property of their community members,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. 

Most Illinois fire departments, fire protections districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone, nonprofit ambulance service providers were eligible to apply. All fire departments, fire protections districts and township fire department applicants were required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years prior to applying.

Grant recipients and awards for departments in the Muddy River Region are listed below:

Adams:
Loraine Fire Protection District- $26,000
Ursa Fire Protection District- $17,165

Calhoun:
North Calhoun Fire Protection District- $25,011

McDonough:
Industry Fire Protection District- $24,134
New Salem Fire Protection District- $23,475

Pike:
Baylis Fire Protection District- $23,525
Griggsville Fire Department- $25,372
Hull-Kinderhook Fire Department- $26,000
Spring Creek Fire Protection District- $26,000